Coaches:
AVA Coaching Team
"The expectations of our sport continue to demand the highest levels of coaching - all this responsibility has landed on the shoulders of a volunteer community among the Athletics Clubs. At AVA we don't coach subjects, we coach people and this can only come through experience. The Clubs, who do an amazing job, tend to provide coaching according to the people that they have available on Club Nights. AVA provides the full spectrum of coaching in our multi-event sport based on what the athlete wants to do. We are a family "Athletics Club"; whether it's providing scholarships for expensive schools, acquiring funding for training, nurturing an interest or talent, from beginner to National Champion, we are passionate about partnering with youngsters and their families to deliver success in whatever shape or form. "
Our coaching philosophy is straighforward ... "make it fun & keep things simple". We have a number of qualified coaches (Randolph Hampden, Eldon Lake, Jeremy Tigar, Neil Dodson, Richard Aspden, Randolph Hampden, Danny Sawyers, Blessed Quansah) but also partner with world famous coaches, athletes, physiotherapists, industry leaders, educators & psychologists to help us achieve our goals.
Coaching Legends
Roger M Uttley OBE, MA, M.Ed (Hon) - Ex England Rugby Captain & Director of Sport at Harrow School
"Jeremy came highly recommended to me from an internationally renowned Coach, who had requested that he help continue coach a 6th form Scholar who had arrived at Harrow School when I was Director of Sport there. Jeremy, clearly passionate about this and all sports, made it plain that he had the specialist skills to help improve this boy, he also was prepared to help others regardless of ability who wanted to progress in athletics here. Not only did he produce a plan of fun and improvement while fitting in with the demands of school work and life, he also had a huge network of specialist coaches up and down the Country so that the students could keep things going throughout the year. In times where sports like athletics are being marginalised among the schools, Jeremy and his AVA are fundamental to keeping the sport of athletics flourishing in Schools, from acquiring the basic skills of physical literacy through to English Schools and National Champion and beyond. He's a great lad and I recommend him."
Wilf Paish M.B.E. - A coach of Champions (including Tessa Sanderson, Mick Hill and Peter Elliott)
"I've known Jeremy for a period in excess of 30 years. We first met when he was a young javelin thrower while I, as a National Coach, was on a school visit. Reliable, helpful, honest and extremely passionate, I am delighted that he has set up AVA; this will go a long way to continuing to provide top class coaching, education and mentoring in the sport to which I have devoted my entire life. This has made a massive contribution to all that happens at the Thames Valley Athletics Centre. AVA can only enhance the quality of our Sport and it is a real honour for me that Jeremy is following in my footsteps. He is a most popular and key member of my athletics family."
